Just a quick update on progress. Wal-Mart opened its 57,000-square-foot express store this past weekend. It's nice. They have a little bit of everything you might need, like plastic bins for storage, small appliances for cooking in a FEMA trailer or a house without a stove, etc. And they have some basic food items. It was great to see all the people shopping.
I also rode down Highway 90 yesterday and noticed that a great deal of the debris has been picked up. That's always a good sign of progress. Don't get me wrong. If you ride down the streets of Waveland, Lakeshore, Clermont Harbor and Cedar Point, there are mounds and mounds of debris yet to be picked up. Those areas have a long way to go.
Here at the library in Bay St. Louis, we had the grounds cleaned up, the grass cut and rye grass planted. It almost makes it look like the old days before Katrina. People are always in the Bay St. Louis and Kiln Libraries using the free Internet service and the free phone banks (provided courtesy of Harris Communications), free copy and fax service, and plain old traditional library services of checking in and out books, DVDs and other items. We also provide disaster recovery information, register people for debris cleanup, register volunteers to perform the cleanup and provide meeting rooms for the public to use.
When I was asked to write these Citizen Diaries, the purpose of it was to be personal stories that chronicle the recovery and rebuilding of Bay St. Louis and Waveland from my perspective. Well, this is Thanksgiving week. This week will be hard for all of us here in Hancock County. Many of us lost family and friends either from the storm itself or from relocation. Some people that have left the area will never return, and that's sad, but understandable.
Anyway, I think we have a great deal to be thankful for during this trying time. We have each other, and the bonding that has occurred since Katrina is wonderful. Most people are kinder to each other, gentler to each other and more cognizant of the individual feelings we have for our own plight. I remember after 9/11 how the country as a whole came together and supported one another. Here, in this area, since Hurricane Katrina, we have come together and support one another every day. Some of us have heavier burdens to bear than others. We all have our own way of coping, but, all in all, we will rise from this ruin. It will take us a long time, but here we are a strong, committed people.
So, let us be thankful for the many blessings that we do have. We have our lives. And we have a community that beats none. This is still the best place in the world to live, in spite of hurricanes.
To all of you out there, I wish you a heartwarming, back to the basics Thanksgiving, surrounded by people you love, and enough food to just plain enjoy the day.
Communication nightmare
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We would like to thank everyone that has left the comfort of their homes and traveled to Mississippi to help. We had 5 wonderful men from Ohio to help install drywall at our house. After 5-6 feet of water inside of the house it is so nice to have walls. Thank you so much. We will always remember these giving people.
Jeff and Jane, Moss Point, MS (Sent Nov 22, 2005 3:50:44 PM)
Mary, I do enjoy your diary very much. When I first moved to Bay St. Louis many years ago I spent a lot of time in the library there. It was a very comforting place since I had left all of my family in north Alabama and had yet to have made any new friends here. It just breaks my heart to see the Bay/Waveland area now. I was a big supporter of the Friends of the Animal shelter in Hancock County. I have a hard time facing what may have happened to them and all those little unwanted animals they were doing so much for. Hope you have a peaceful Thanksgiving.
Mary, Pass Christian, MS (Sent Nov 22, 2005 4:53:25 PM)
As we prepare for the holidays, we are thankful for the spirit of America that thrives in places like Waveland and Bay St Louis. The determination, strength, and community of these folks gives new meaning to that hackneyed phrase "the south will rise again" - well folks, this new south will rise - and lift all of us with it - happy thanksgiving.
BW McCartt, Winter Park, FL (Sent Nov 22, 2005 6:08:07 PM)
Hello Mary,
It is so nice to see you doing this. I just let mom know about this website. She had no idea. I didn't get to see you last time I was home. I just want you to know that I love you and miss you. I'll be home for the holidays. Tell Gary and Ann, I love them to. You are doing a great job and keep your head up. Touch base if you need anything. See you over the holidays. God Bless!!
Daniette (Sent Nov 26, 2005 9:23:30 PM)
mary, keep sending us info...stay well and safe
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Nov 29, 2005 9:25:16 AM)
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